Simulated game gets Peavy's adrenaline flowing

Relievers could be bumped back a day, but the White Sox wanted their right-hander to throw his four innings and 60 pitches as he was scheduled to do. They chose a simulated game on the back fields at Camelback Ranch, which turned out to be a good move since the Cactus League contest against the Padres was rained out after three innings.

Peavy got up and down as if he were starting new innings, facing Adam Dunn, Dayan Viciedo, Tyler Flowers and Carlos Sanchez, who were trying to get their work in as well. He was satisfied with what he got out of the morning workout.

"Today was actually a little bit better than getting out in the game because you were able to be under a controlled environment," Peavy said. "So I was able to use a little more pitches than I probably would have.

"But I still was going about the same speed as I would have in the game. I was going pretty hard. I'm just glad we were able to get it in, get on a field, simulate a game."

A little humorous by-play took place between good friends Dunn and Peavy during the simulated game, with Dunn even faking a bunt on the first pitch of his last at-bat. Dunn, who has two homers, six RBIs and 10 strikeouts lifetime against Peavy, thought he connected on one during one of his at-bats. The strong wind knocked it down in short center.

"No, that was not a homer today. Without the wind, that ball would have landed at deep short," said Peavy with a laugh. "Obviously, you guys know how we are as friends. I wanted him out there simply because that competitive drive is in us both.

"We love each other, but at the same time, I wanted to get him out and he wanted to get a hit and hit a homer off me. So that competitiveness is what you need in those situations like that. That was a good way to create that."

Peavy's next start comes March 13 but it will be on the Minor League side, as Peavy won't be throwing 75 pitches against American League Central rival Cleveland in the scheduled Cactus League contest. Through two trips to the mound, Peavy feels as if he's making progress.

"I feel good, I feel healthy. I think my stuff is coming," Peavy said. "It's still not anywhere close to where it should be or is going to be, but it's coming.

"That was my second time on a mound. My fastball command was good. I was able to move the ball around a little bit. Yeah, I think I'm right on track to where I want to be. I hope my stuff keeps getting better."

Scott Merkin is a reporter for MLB.com. Read his blog, Merk's Works, and follow him on Twitter @scottmerkin. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.